More than 18 sectors of West Santiago demand street repairs

Santiago.- Community members from more than 18 sectors of the municipal district of Santiago Oeste (Cienfuegos) reported this Monday that the advanced deterioration of a main street is affecting thousands of residents, especially hundreds of students who must cross the mud daily to get to the basic school teacher, Gabina de León, of the municipal district of Santiago Oeste

Residents stated that the road, which connects various communities on the west side of the canal, has been practically impassable for months, which has caused constant falls of pedestrians, difficulties for transportation and direct effects on more than 900 students of the aforementioned educational center, as well as teachers and workers who use the route daily. Faced with the situation, the community members urgently called on the Minister of Public Works, Eduardo Estrella, and President Luis Abinader, to order the immediate intervention of the road, noting that despite multiple claims, peaceful marches, and documents sent to the authorities, they still have not received a solution. The president of the Mirador Sur neighborhood association, Feliz de La Cruz, denounced that teams from the company in charge remained on site for weeks without carrying out work and were subsequently removed.

“We have had equipment stopped here for over 20 days. Even last Saturday they took the roller and the compactor. We have held peaceful marches, press conferences, and formal calls, but the community remains abandoned,” he expressed.

De la Cruz maintained that the situation becomes critical every time it rains, as the road turns into a quagmire that prevents the normal passage of vehicles and pedestrians, while on dry days the dust affects the health of children and adults.

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Resident Juan Guzman questioned why humble communities continue to be abandoned despite also contributing with taxes.

"Maybe we don't have jeeps or great things here, but we pay taxes too. While they beautify other areas, we continue walking in the mud," he stated.

From her side, Esmirna Reyes, linked to the Gabina de León educational center, assured that the paralysis of the works worsened the conditions of the street.

"Before, at least we had a little edge to walk on, but now we are worse than eight months ago. The children have to go through the mud and many times their uniforms and backpacks get damaged," he explained.

While Ana Ovalle warned that the situation is affecting the health and mood of the students. "When it doesn't rain, the dust makes the children sick, and when it rains they arrive at school covered in mud. Many fall in the puddles," she pointed out. Community members warned that, although they have so far maintained their claims peacefully, they could intensify the protests if the authorities do not respond in the coming days. Among the affected sectors are La Embocada de Rafael, Villa del Valle, La Bendición Norte, Ciudad de Dios, Paraíso Este, Los Mangos, Villa Progreso 1, 2 and 3, Los Samanes, Villa La Minas, Cerro Hermoso and Parada 7, among others, where they claim that more than 15 thousand people depend daily on this route to get around.